The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted 8-7 on Thursday to advance Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma as the next Secretary of Homeland Security. The committee’s own chairman, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, voted against him. Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was the lone Democrat to vote yes.
Without Fetterman’s crossover, the nomination would have stalled. His office released a statement explaining the vote. “We need a leader at DHS. We must reopen DHS,” Fetterman said. “My AYE is rooted in a strong committed, constructive working relationship with Senator Mullin for our nation’s security.”
Paul opened Wednesday’s hearing by confronting Mullin over past comments. Mullin had called Paul a “freaking snake” and said he understood why Paul’s neighbor physically attacked him in 2017. Mullin refused to apologize, telling Paul the two should move past it.
Senators from both parties also pressed Mullin about undisclosed foreign travel he described as “classified.” He refused to elaborate publicly but briefed senators in a secure facility after the hearing. Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma later called the matter a nondisclosure agreement related to a whistleblower and dismissed it as minor.
Mullin’s nomination, placed on the Senate Executive Calendar on March 19, now awaits a full Senate vote expected early next week. He needs a simple majority to be confirmed. President Trump fired former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem earlier this month. The department has been operating without funding since February 13, with over 100,000 employees furloughed or working without pay.
If confirmed, Mullin’s departure from the Senate would create an Oklahoma vacancy. Gov. Kevin Stitt has said he will appoint a replacement.
Support Independent Local Journalism — High Country Advocate was created as a real alternative to regional media that too often silences dissenting voices while taking sides in the political struggle. Producing in-depth, unflinching reporting like this series and others is expensive: servers, editing, research time, and legal review all add up quickly. If these articles have informed you or given you new perspective, please consider supporting HCA with a paid subscription — every subscriber helps keep this reporting strong and independent. 